Holiday season may not be cheerful for Warney

Rob Warney will not be in prison for Thanksgiving but most likely will be home for Christmas only in his dreams.

The former Hamilton Township official caught a break this week when officials postponed sentencing for his role in a corruption case against Mayor John Bencivengo.

Warney pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering while the feds have hooked Bencivengo with five counts of extortion, money laundering, violating the federal Travel Act and for stepping on sidewalk cracks that broke thousands of mothers’ backs.

Warney had been scheduled for an Oct. 9 sentencing date but that’s been pushed back to December, a month after Bencivengo’s November trial date.

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The former director of community planning and compliance faces 20 years in prison and a $500,000 fine but his apparent cooperation with a federal investigation likely gained Warney leniency.

However, the feds pushed back his sentencing to make certain he admits to laundering thousands of dollars for Bencivengo’s bank account. Plus, Warney confessed he took $10,000 in bribes from federal cooperating witness Marliese Ljuba, a former insurance broker for the Hamilton school district who has not been charged.

The Warney sentencing produces interest after Trenton Water Works employee Stanley “Muscles” Davis received six year for two counts of official misconduct. Davis lined his pockets with money earned from doing side jobs for residents while using city equipment. Davis and two other accomplices made money while being on the clock as city employees.

Six years sounded severe but a case can be made that Warney’s offenses more seriously damage the moral fabric of democracy. His were high-level infractions that delivered a trickle-down effect to corrupt government.

Davis’ misappropriations were difficult to move upstream, although a subsequent arrest of Trenton Mayor Tony Mack, caught in a government sting, allegedly showed corruption moved in both directions of the city’s political spectrum.

These are difficult times as neighboring municipalities deal with corruption that has virtually crippled government. People deliver ginormous misrepresentations with opinions that Hamilton remains open for business or that Trenton’s Mack entertains business deals.

Money remains on the sidelines in Trenton until Mack has his day in court.

In mid-September, hundreds packed the former Shrine Crescent Temple as the Iglesia Pentecostal Asamblea de Dios hosted a ribbon-cutting for its new North Clinton home.

A female emcee acknowledged the attendance of a mayor. Not Mack. Perth Amboy Mayor Wilda Diaz made the 45-minute drive from her hometown, while Mack failed to make a 10-minute ride from crosstown.

When hundreds this week packed a Trenton Police Department room following the shooting death of 19-year old Tre Lane, Mack failed to attend.

Hamilton Township remains unclean and literally held hostage while Benvicengo’s trial looms. Sure, Bencivengo makes appearances at public events but people voice discomfort with his presence. Even without a conviction, being around Bencivengo and Mack compares to holding a mackerel.

Insiders say the FBI still lures in political waters just off Trenton and hotspots north of Hamilton.

The corrupt hide out in black water, but New Jersey fishin’ for corrupt politicians is good.

Anyone concerned about Warney jumping off the hook in his mouth should understand that the feds have him right where they need him, lined and sinkered to take the stand against his former boss before heading to jail.

Warney may get his Thanksgiving turkey, stuffing and mashed potatoes, but Christmas pudding in the comfort of his home seems highly unlikely.

L.A. Parker is a Trentonian columnist. Reach him at laparker@Trentonian.com.